News from January 27.

The NBA announced the contestants for the Rookie Challenge teams (Rookies vs
Sophomores).  The game takes placed February 18 at 8 pm Central on TNT.  
If a player is also selected to play in the All-Star game, he will still 
play in this game.
  Sophomores                    Rookies
  Carmelo Anthony (Den)         Tony Allen (Bos)
  Chris Bosh (Tor)              Luol Deng (Chi)
  LeBron James (Cle)            Ben Gordon (Chi)
  Udonis Haslem (Mia)           Devin Harris (Dal)
  Kirk Hinrich (Chi)            Dwight Howard (Orl)
  Josh Howard (Dal)             Andre Iguoadala (Phi)
  Kyle Korver (Phi)             Emeka Okafor (Cha)
  Luke Ridnour (Sea)            Josh Smith (Atl)
  Dwyane Wade (Mia)             Beno Udrih (SA)

Denver named George Karl as head coach.  Interim coach Michael Cooper is
back to being an assistant coach.


SA 90, Sac 80  at SA
Tim Duncan (SA) had 20 points and 12 rebounds including 5 offensive.
Tony Parker (SA) had 12 points and 7 assists.
Manu Ginobili (SA) had 25 points including 9-15 FG and 6 rebounds.
Chris Webber (Sac) had 16 points including 6-17 FG, 8 rebounds, and 6
assists.
Brad Miller (Sac) had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Peja Stojakovic (Sac, back spasms) did not play.

Det 88, Ind 76  at Ind
Tayshaun Prince (Det) had 16 points including 7-10 FG and 7 rebounds.
Chauncey Billups (Det) had 20 points and 5 assists.
Richard Hamilton (Det) had 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) had 27 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 6 turnovers.
Fred Jones (Ind) had 14 points including 3-3 3-pointers.
Anthony Johnson (Ind, flu) and Jonathan Bender (Ind, sore right knee) did
not play.

Chi 101, Cha 93  at Chi
Andres Nocioni (Chi) had 17 points including 7-8 FG.
Eric Piatkowski (Chi) had 16 points including 6-9 FG.
Jannero Pargo (Chi) had 14 points [all in the 4th quarter] on 7-10 FG.
Jason Hart (Cha) had 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Kareem Rush (Cha) had 24 points including 6-8 3-pointers.
Brevin Knight (Cha, sprained left ankle) did not play.